Flying High 2022 Breaks Museum Fundraising Records

BY MAEGAN COLLINS, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Something spectacular happened this year at Flying High, the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s largest annual fundraiser. On July 16, over 400 Museum supporters and guests gathered at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel for the 38th annual gala and raised a record-breaking amount of money for the Museum and its mission. Against the backdrop of a glamorous Bond-inspired event, attendees had the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique art and experiences through live and silent auctions. The live auction concluded with an unprecedented and poignant donation regarding artist Kitty Harvill’s signature piece, a watercolor entitled Peg's Pony.

As Peg's Pony was uncovered at the Flying High Preview Party in June, Kitty’s heartfelt backstory brought many emotions to the crowd. Kitty’s late mother, Peg Harvill, and her heavy involvement in the early days of the Museum was a focal point of the piece. The painting meant so much to Kitty, and it was also special to many people who have been longtime Museum supporters. Shortly after the piece was unveiled to the public, a passionate group of 30 community members, spearheaded by former First Federal Savings Bank CEO & President Jim Mann, initiated a plan to join together to buy the signature piece and donate it back to the Museum. In a few short weeks, they collected $32,900 to purchase the painting.

At Flying High, when it was time for Peg's Pony to be auctioned off, this astounding donation was announced to those in attendance. The monumental contribution clearly had an effect on the crowd, and more supporters donated to this cause for a total of $56,950 raised by 68 people to collectively donate the artwork back to the Museum. This broke records as the most money raised for a Flying High signature piece, and everyone is delighted that such an emotional and significant work of art will get to hang in the Museum for all to enjoy.

The painting will hang in the 1898 Customs House building, near the location of the painted scene. A plaque honoring those that donated to the cause will hang alongside the story of the work. Museum visitors for years to come will have the opportunity to appreciate this amazing piece of art, one family’s legacy and the impact every individual can have on the community at large.

Altogether, this year’s Flying High raised a total of $245,538 for the Museum’s exhibits, educational programming, artifact preservation and more.